Why TV Shows with Songs Are Secret Weapons for Language Learning
Ever noticed how your little one can belt out the entire theme song of their favorite show but somehow “clean your room” doesn’t stick? (Selective hearing, anyone?)
Well, there’s a reason those catchy tunes won’t leave their heads—and it’s the same reason they can be a game-changer for language learning!
Besides TV shows that narrate what’s happening (which are great for language exposure), shows packed with songs are next-level helpful for kids learning a second language.
Why? Three magical words: Simplicity, Repetition, Narration. That’s the secret sauce that makes those tunes stick like glue!
Think back to when you were little—shows like Barney & Friends, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, and even SpongeBob SquarePants used music to help you learn.
And guess what? Your kiddo is doing the same thing today with Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood and Bluey!
Now, here’s the best part: This works in any language. Yep, those same brain-boosting benefits happen when your child watches (and sings along with) shows in Spanish!
That’s why at TruFluency Kids Spanish we love using music in our Spanish classes—it’s fun, it’s effective, and it actually sticks.
Easy Ways to Use TV for Language Learning
Good news, mama—getting your kids to watch TV on purpose (a.k.a. for educational reasons) is easier than you think! Here’s how:
Switch the language. Keep your child’s favorite English-language shows but change the audio to Spanish. (Bluey in Spanish? Yes, please!) If you haven’t done this before, most streaming services like Netflix make it super simple.
All you gotta do is look for the speech bubble icon 🗨️ (this is the Audio & Subtitles menu). On most devices, it’s at the bottom or top of the screen.
Then, select your preferred language under the “Audio” section. If Spanish is available, you’ll see it listed!
Explore international kids’ shows. Watching cartoons and kids’ programs from Spanish-speaking countries gives your child a double bonus: language learning and cultural exposure.
But I get it; sometimes changing the language can be time-consuming and, depending on the streaming service, difficult (I am looking at you, Disney Plus), but here is a mega hack we use: Get a VPN service and an Amazon Firestick and set both to a Spanish-speaking country; that way all the shows and series will be automatically in that language.
Need help picking the best shows? We’ve got you covered! Check out our Top Netflix Shows for Kids in Spanish.
At the end of the day, fluency isn’t about perfect grammar—it’s about spending time with the language. The more your child hears, sings, and interacts with Spanish, the more natural it becomes!
That’s exactly why our TruFluency Kids Spanish immersion classes work so well. We don’t just teach Spanish—we live it! Your child will learn through singing, dancing, reading, playing, crafting, and even cooking. No boring worksheets, just real fun, and real Spanish!
And we made it super easy for busy parents (that’s you!). Our classes are completely online, available seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. CST. So you can pick the perfect time that fits your family’s schedule.
Ready to turn screen time into Spanish time? Join us today!
